Volkswagen has announced styling changes to the 2013 model Touareg and at the same time has significantly upgraded the equipment levels of its medium-large SUV.
The biggest news is on the safety front, with all 2013 Volkswagen Touaregs getting Volkswagen’s clever Driver Fatigue System. At the start of each trip the system analyses the driver’s characteristic steering behaviour, their use of pedals and transverse acceleration. If the monitored parameters show a significant deviation from the steering behaviour recorded at the beginning of the trip, warning lights and buzzers alert the driver and recommend they take a break.
If the driver doesn’t take a break within the next 15 minutes, the warning is repeated.
The Touareg V6 TDI 4Motion body now has the same exterior design as the other variants, incorporating the body-coloured lower side and bumper trims with chrome mouldings as well as dual chromed triangular exhaust tips on either side. The previous styling of grey and silver-coloured lower body side and bumper trims as well as oval chromed exhaust tailpipes is now being offered as an option at no charge for customers intending to put the Touareg’s off-road credentials to the test.
Entry-level Touareg 150TDI now has a standard rear-view camera that improves reversing safety by displaying static and dynamic guidance lines on the display.
The Touareg 150TDI has bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime driving lights and Karakum 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, there’s now a luxury look provided by Vienna leather seat upholstery. The driver and front passenger seats have 12-way electric adjustment and electro-pneumatically adjustable backrest side bolsters. The new design of safety-optimised front head restraints permits height and longitudinal adjustment.
The optional Driver Assistance Package now also contains the added City Emergency Braking function. The City EB function is active below a speed of 30km/h and also reacts to stationary vehicles; if necessary, it automatically initiates a braking manoeuvre.
All Volkswagen Touaregs are powered by V6 engines that drive through a sophisticated eight-speed automatic transmission.
Prices start at $62,990, not including government or dealer delivery charges.